The evolution of the iPhone

How has the evolution of the iPhone changed the way we build, use, and access online services?

With the launch of the iPhone 7 & iPhone 7+ last night at the long-awaited Apple Keynote, the media spotlight is very much on this revolutionary business – the evolution of the iPhone; what they’ve so far achieved, and what’s next – as they continue to pave the way for mobile technology, and push the boundaries of what’s possible.

It’s no secret that advances in mobile technology now dictate how we go about our daily lives; how websites are designed and built, how businesses are run, and even how we interact with our friends and family…

The evolution of the iPhone and app development

When the very first iPhone was launched in 2007 – with its ground-breaking touchscreen technology, 320 x 480 pixel resolution, and mobile web browser – it was like nothing the mobile world had ever seen.

The iPhone revolutionised the way we used mobile phones – giving us the pocket-sized super computers we use today – and making the entire world accessible at the touch of a button.

Although mobile applications had been available in very basic forms for at least 15 years before the iPhone reared it’s beautiful head, with the release of Psion’s handheld computer in the early 90’s, Apple’s fast, good looking, and easily accessible operating system – iOS – made using a mobile for everyday tasks (using the internet!) better and easier than any mobile we’d seen previously.

Part of this was the invention of the App Store in 2008, a digital distribution platform where iOS users can download mobile applications like games, file sharing systems, and social media channels. The App Store was HUGE from the moment it launched; with 10 million apps downloaded in its very first weekend, alone.

Now, 50 billion app downloads later, every business wants a piece of the app-action; with 1.2 million different apps available on Apple’s App Store alone! It can be argued in some cases that, thanks to the evolution of the iPhone, having an app can prove almost more valuable than having a website – and having both…? Well, it can make good business sense.

The evolution of the iPhone: changing the landscape of website design

It was only very recently that the massive impact of mobile technology and how people now use it was truly felt in the digital world, as Google changed their rules on responsive website design – deeming any website that wasn’t responsive – mobile-friendly – ineligible to appear on Google searches made on mobile devices.

With 80% of Google searches made on mobiles – including tablets and some laptops – that’s a lot of potential traffic to miss out on!

Previously, website design was dominated by the capabilities and resolutions of the humble desktop, and consideration for mobiles seen as secondary – even as recently as a year ago, having a mobile-friendly website was just a luxury!

Arguably, the evolution of the iPhone shaped this – as the potential of mobile technology has been rapidly unlocked in recent years – and now website design is led by the size, shape, quality, and overall abilities of our mobiles (now, even considering the size of click through buttons – needing a certain size for touchscreen users).

The evolution of the iPhone and the rise of social media

Ah, the evolution of the iPhone and the rise of social media; just like the chicken and the egg or Sonny and Cher, you can’t have one without the other.

Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram etc. etc, – is used daily by billions of people across the world. And why is this? Well, we think it’s not only because social media is fun and vibrant and generally wonderful, but also easily accessible through our mobile phones.

Since the development of iOS5, iPhones are now available with the native integration of social media channels: Twitter, Facebook, Flicker, and Vimeo.

The use of social media has sky-rocketed in recent years, as billions of people use it to share selfies, personal stories, interesting videos and articles, and now… advertise their business. Social media is now a legitimate necessity in any business’ marketing plan worth its salt, thanks to the popularity of smartphones.

What do we think about the evolution of the iPhone?

We love mobile technology! But with the popularity of mobile technology comes evolutions and revolutions in the design and developments of website design and digital marketing; the need for responsive website design being one…

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